[quote=
But I'm also hearing stuff about how we're supposed to be entering an ice age so, in that case, maybe a little warming is a good idea? I only know pretty simple data analysis methods and bits and pieces of other stuff, so I have to take the word of people who know more than I do.
[/QUOTE]

Ice ages are usually (have always been) preceded ny warming. It has to do with the balance caused by underwater currents. A good source is Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth".